In honour of Stan Mollett

I have once again signed up for the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a two-day bike ride from Vancouver to Seattle taking place on August 26-27, 2017, with all of the money raised from the event going to the BC Cancer Foundation in support of leading clinicians, scientists, and researchers.

This will be my fourth year participating in the event! With your support over the last three years, we have raised a total of $8,410, and are nearing the $10,000 goal I set for myself some four years ago.

Once again, I am humbly requesting friends, family, and colleagues to consider making a donation in support of my Ride to Conquer Cancer, by clicking visiting my personal ride page, here: http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/kevinlew604

I am looking forward to the coming months of training, and tackling this challenge in August.

Sincerest thanks,

Kevin

***** 2016 Ride to Conquer Cancer *****

Today, February 4, 2016, is World Cancer Day, a day dedicated to unite the world’s population in the fight against cancer, and to raise awareness and education about the disease. In honour of World Cancer Day, I have once again signed up for the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a two-day bike ride from Vancouver to Seattle, with all of the money raised from the event going to the BC Cancer Foundation in support of leading clinicians, scientists, and researchers. Last year, the ride raised $8.4-million, which has contributed to advancements in the areas of early detection, immunotheraphy, and world-class research and discoveries.

On August 27-28, 2016, I will participate in my third Ride to Conquer Cancer. The experiences and the people I have met along the way over the last two years have been nothing short of amazing; none of which would be possible, without the support of friends and family. Together, we have raised $2,855 in each of the last two years ($5,710 total), a mark I am hoping to match again this year. To that end, I am once again humbly requesting friends, family, and colleagues to consider making a donation in support of my ride to conquer cancer, and help equal or better the amount we fundraised last year: $2,855.

I am looking forward to the coming months of training, and tackling this challenge in August.

Sincerely,

Kevin

***** 2015 Ride to Conquer Cancer *****

I have decided to once again ride in the BC Cancer Foundation’s Ride to Conquer Cancer!

Last year, I dedicated my ride to my friend Stan Mollett, who after a year-long battle with cancer, passed away in November 2013. This year, in addition to riding in honour of Stan, I am riding for the estimated 190,000 Canadian men and women who will be diagnosed with cancer in 2015.

Originally I was unsure if I would ride in this year’s event. But after much deliberation, I thought: I’m fit, and physically-able to have a positive impact on the world… to make a difference in the lives of those affected by the disease. And with that, I decided I couldn’t not ride!

Like last year, I plan on completing The Challenge route, a two-day, 325km ride from Vancouver to Seattle through rural country roads nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. All of the money raised from the event will go to the BC Cancer Foundation and support leading clinicians, scientists, and researchers. Last year, the ride raised $9.1-million, which has contributed to advancements in the areas of early detection, immunotheraphy, and world-class research and discoveries.

Once again, I am humbly requesting friends, family, and colleagues to consider making a donation in support of my ride to conquer cancer, and help equal or better the amount we fundraised last year: $2,855.

I am looking forward to the coming months of training, and tackling this challenge in August.

Sincerely,

Kevin

***** 2014 Ride to Conquer Cancer *****

On November 7, 2013 I received an email from John Holland, President of PHH ARC Environmental, the company I previously worked for, for a little over six years… “Stan was re-admitted to hospital last Sunday. He has been receiving ongoing treatment for cancer over the past year or so.” My heart sunk, and I immediately felt a sense of sadness and disbelief. I considered Stan to be a confidant, a trusted advisor, a mentor, and a true friend.

I met Stan nearly ten years earlier, when I started working at PHH. But it wasn’t until the company moved us into a shared office that I began to get to know and appreciate Stan, the person.

One of my first encounters with Stan was after I borrowed his label maker unbeknownst to him… and despite meticulously following the instructions I somehow managed to jam the label maker! At the time, I didn’t really know Stan, and he had a bit of a reputation for being protective of his equipment, so I asked around the office to see if anyone could help me fix it before Stan found out, but I didn’t have any luck. So the next day, I had to tell Stan I borrowed his label maker and broke it in the process. I was quite scared at how he would react, but I soon found out my worries were unwarranted – Stan, the stern, 70-something year old, ex Marine and SAS Member, was kind, understanding, and forgiving.

And so began our friendship. Like any true friend, Stan was always there to listen and help me solve life’s problems. I will forever cherish and be grateful for the five years that we shared an office, and the wisdom and life lessons he bestowed upon me over that time… like how to disarm a knife-wielding attacker, pick locks, incapacitate someone with a quick jab of the thumbs to the jugular, and even how to hotwire a car (in theory).

After receiving John’s email, I made my way to the hospital to see how my old friend was doing. It had been a while since I last saw him, but we chatted, laughed, and reminisced about “old times” like no time had gone by. He was in good spirits, and told me that he was on the mend and that we should grab lunch when he was discharged from the hospital, but perhaps he was putting on a brave front for me.

Sadly, on November 25, 2013 I received another email from John. “our friend, colleague and all round great guy Stan Mollett passed away early this morning in Vancouver General Hospital.”

Stan was one of a kind… a kind spirited, thoughtful, gentle soul. As I reflect on the time I had with Stan, the fond memories bring a smile to my face. I am consoled by the fact that Stan is smiling down on us, sipping on his favourite, Glenfiddich on the rocks.

I humbly request your support to help me reach my fundraising target of $2,500 so I can ride to honour my good friend Stan on June 14-15, 2014.